Missouri House Speaker Todd Richardson will ask the Committee on Government Oversight and Accountability to fast-track ethics reform legislation in 2016. Tim BommelMissouri House Communications

Missouri House Speaker Todd Richardson will ask the Committee on Government Oversight and Accountability to fast-track ethics reform legislation in 2016. Tim BommelMissouri House Communications

JEFFERSON CITY

Proclaiming to his fellow lawmakers that they are serving in the Missouri General Assembly “during a time that will define this body for a generation,” House Speaker Todd Richardson opened the 2016 session as promised with an emphasis on reforming legislative ethics law.

“Tomorrow, on the first day that bills can be referred (to committee), I will refer every ethics bill that has been filed to the Committee on Government Oversight and Accountability,” said Richardson, a Poplar Bluff Republican. “I am asking that committee to act with haste to send us a set of substantive, meaningful, single-subject ethics bills so that they may be the very first matter this General Assembly tackles.”

The Missouri General Assembly is coming off a year where it was enshrouded with scandal and tragedy.

Kehoe also answered questions about a proposed change to the Senate’s rules that would bar journalists from having access to the floor of the Missouri Senate as of March 29.

Reporters have had a table on the Senate floor for decades from which they’ve covered the chamber’s proceedings. Under the proposed rule change, reporters wishing to view Senate debate will have to do so from a space in the fourth floor public gallery.

The press table will be turned over to Senate staff. This follows a decision last fall to turn offices used by the media over to Senate communications staff, with reporters moved to the fifth floor.

“Senators have been talking about it for years,” Kehoe said, “and I think the time has come that they believe they need more room for staff to work.”

He insisted the press would still have open access to Senate proceedings.

Senate President Pro Tem Ron Richard, a Joplin Republican, chose not to give an opening day address, noting that during an election year “there will be enough speeches on this floor.”

Senate Minority Leader Joe Keaveny, a St. Louis Democrat, worried that with the 2016 election on the horizon, speeches will be the only thing that will get accomplished.

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